Dan Atherton To Miss EWS Round One Due To Injury

Earlier this week Dan walked away from a spectacular OTB in Finale Ligure with only sore legs to show for it. But on Thursday afternoon Dan was on a training ride trying to spin out his sore legs when he took another fall that caused a hairline fracture to his tibia.

Crash video from earlier in the week:

Recent high winds in the UK have left many trails strewn with large branches and uprooted trees. Dan said “I was coming round a corner on a descent and a fallen tree was sticking out onto the trail – I tried to dodge it but unfortunately it caught me just below the knee pad, knocking me off my bike. I’m devastated as I’ve never felt more ready to start a season but I’m hopeful that I’ll be back on the bike very quickly. ”

Team Director Dan Brown said “Dan’s fracture is fairly minor in itself, but because of its position and the huge forces that go through a mountain biker’s knees we need to handle it with care. Thankfully we have Harris and Ross’ Injury Management Team in place so all necessary X-rays and scans were completed in record time and the decision has been made to operate as soon as the swelling recedes. A full rehab programme is already being planned.”

GT Factory Racing will be represented in Round 1 of the Enduro World Series by 2013’s Overall Junior Champion Martin Maes.